FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 12, 2014

New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Provides Amusement Ride Safety Tips this Summer Tourism Season


Trenton, NJ – With the unofficial start of the summer outdoor season under way, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs‘ (DCA) Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III is encouraging New Jerseyans to review the Amusement Ride Safety Do’s and Don’ts posted on the Department’s website.

 

“Our Carnival and Amusement Ride Safety team does a great job ensuring rides are safe for operation, but riders must do their part as well,” Commissioner Constable said. “While New Jersey has a very good safety record on amusement rides, and our inspection team has an excellent reputation nationwide, it is essential to remind people about the importance of rider behavior.” 

 

The DCA’s Codes and Standards staff dedicates a considerable amount of work, even during the off-season, to ensure that amusement and carnival rides are safe in towns throughout the state, including communities impacted by Superstorm Sandy. Ride inspections will continue throughout the summer season, including on weekends.

 

“Along with homes and businesses, Superstorm Sandy impacted our amusement parks, which are a key element of our tourism industry,” said Commissioner Constable. “Our engineering staff and ride inspectors in DCA’s Division of Codes and Standards have conducted more than 450 safety inspections of 317 amusement rides in Sandy-impacted communities to prepare for the summer tourist season.”

 

The DCA recommends several rider and parental precautions that should be followed at this critical time of year when school trips and family excursions include visits to amusement parks, boardwalks, local fairs and traveling carnivals. There are approximately 4,000 rides operating in the state, half of which are fixed rides at amusement parks and half of which are portable rides at traveling venues.

 

Ride inspectors first urge that riders (and their parents or guardians) should always look for the posted State of New Jersey green certificate of operation, which shows that a ride was inspected and passed the stringent safety regulations required by the State.

 

Riders should also read and obey all written and spoken instructions, and observe all age, height and weight restrictions. Additionally, riders are urged to:

 

  • Fasten safety equipment such as seatbelts, shoulder harnesses and lap bars before the ride begins;
  • Keep limbs inside the ride at all times;
  • Stay in the ride and keep all safety equipment fastened until the ride comes to a complete stop and the ride operator instructs people to exit;
  • Refrain from throwing any object from a ride or behaving in a reckless manner; and
  • Avoid entering a ride without the supervision of an operator.

 

Parents should take additional safety precautions for their children, especially small children, when participating in amusement rides or attractions. They should watch the ride in operation before deciding whether the ride is appropriate and if their child can ride it safely. Parents should also designate an easily recognizable place to meet their child after the ride is over and supervise their child at all times.

 

“New Jersey’s amusement parks, fairs and carnivals are some of the best in the country and are designed to entertain every member of your family,” Commissioner Constable said. “We just ask that people put safety first.”

 

The New Jersey Carnival and Amusement Ride Safety Act establishes an annual ride safety inspection program. A manufacturer is required to have their ride type certified prior to its sale for operation in New Jersey. The owner of an amusement ride is required to register their ride by applying for an annual permit. The annual permit assures that scheduled annual inspections and random operational inspections are performed throughout the year. Rides that have passed inspection bear a green sticker. Those that have not passed inspection have red stickers.

 

For the complete list of amusement ride safety tips, please log on to http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/forms/pdf_rides/are_you_ready_to_ride.pdf.

 

For more information on the Carnival and Amusement Ride Safety Act, please go to http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/offices/rides.html.